258 MODERN PRACTICAL ANGLER. 
efficient weapon for all practical purposes. For gentles 
and paste a No. 3 or 4 hook (see p. 11) will be found the 
most convenient size, a very small piece (about the six- 
teenth of an inch) of the shank end being nipped off. 
If the gentles are large, four will be found the best 
number to bait the above hooks with. They should be 
made into a “bunchy” looking bait, by the hook being 
passed through the first three gentles laterally, or across, 
about the middle. If threaded up to the hook in the more 
usual way the gentles follow its curve, and form a sus- 
picious-looking half circle of bodies. The point of the 
hook should be entirely concealed in the fourth gentle, so 
that when complete no part of the hook should be seen. 
The bait should swim three or four inches clear of the 
bottom in rivers, and in ponds at from about eight 
inches to a foot from the ground according to the 
depth. The best depth for a river Roach swim is 
usually from five to seven feet, over a gravelly or sandy 
bottom, and the best time to strike a bite is just when 
the top of the float is disappearing, or is held for a 
moment level with the top of the water. In order to 
strike effectually it is advisable to fish with a short line, 
and the float as nearly under the point of the rod as 
possible. A violent and sudden darting away of the 
float usually indicates the bite of a small fish which is 
generally missed. A heavy Roach rarely makes any 
great demonstration, but after one or two preliminary 
“bobs,” quietly takes the float down. 
